For those who want to know why I did this, please read on. For those with attention spans of a goldfish, just look at the purty picture.

I did this because a week ago, I had stumbled into a situation, which we all (well, those of us in the right mind) have come to dread.
We were watching "Nosferatu" when someone in front of me had made a remark about the characters features. I quote: "He has the classic evil Jewish nose."
I was appalled. I immediately asked him if he thought my nose was crooked since I was Jewish. He said "Yes" and surprisingly one of my friends (who was sitting beside me) also said "Well, it does have a little bulge to it."
Mind you, I couldn't care less how my nose looks, but the actual implication almost had me beating both of them to death. I then said "Well, that's funny! Because I have my father's nose, and my father was Christian!". To witch the first guy replied "That doesnít matter. Lots of Christians had Jewish ancestors."
Now, maybe I was being over-sensitive, but itís remarks like those that had 6 million gassed in chambers, and similar one that had entire cultures enslaved and degraded for years.
Bless my dear friend Emily for putting one hand to hold me back. Otherwise both of them would be seeing the inside of a coffin today.

Either way, this image was inspired by it.
Iím Jewish, and Iím proud of it.
If they donít like my ďLarge Jewish NoseĒ they can go ďfĒ themselves.

That was horrible of them to say. Where does someone get off saying something like that? I'm not jewish but I can understand how bad stereotyping can be. I'm catholic and I can't tell you how many times I have been called a pedophile. It's sickening.

Anyway, great looking lion. I love lions. He has an elderly look to him which is pretty nice.

and... what a stupid comment of your friends. -.- we just had a huge discussion here in germany because of some guy publishing a book and speaking of the "jewish gen" wth? if a born buddhist or christian becomes jewish, how can he/she have a certain gen all of a sudden? ... -.-;i can really understand that you wanted to ... uhm... beat some sense into them.

... would be kinda like when looking at someone's ears inventing "christian ears" .... or "buddhist lips" ... wth?

The curls are called "Peyos" , and in Orthodox Jewish circles, men are supposed to let those grow out. However, the style of them- being curled, strait, or tucked behind the ears- is specific to the certain sect.

I'm always perplexed when people claim cultural identity to be a solid inclusion of traits- after all, there has been numerous and countless mixes of cultures and ethnicity over the thousands of years, that no one individual can claim any genetic "purity". it's scientifically impossible. I agree with you, it's just absolutely ridiculous.

well, in the beginning there was that israelic tribe... but they mixed later on with other tribes as well... and... concerning that nose... i kinda don't believe that they originally had those kinda noses... since if i remember it right... that kinda so called "jewish" nose is more caucasian and not like people from the arabic areas look like.... or am i wrong?

Actually to correct you:The Hebrews were devided into two Settlements before Jacob had his 12 sons [10 of his, 2 of Joseph's]- and then there were 12 Tribes of Israel [with the speculation of one lost tribe, making 13].It was only after the Israelites were exiled by the Romans from their land did they begin to mingle with the other European and Mediterranean elasticities.

The "big Jewish nose" is after they mingled with Eastern European Countries like Poland, Hungary, and Russia.. but it became stereotypical of the "Jewish Face"- and that was the main propaganda the Nazis used.

uh... you mean that the 12 tribes were from 10 of jacob's and 2 of josef's sons, right? which two settlements before them...? (i just read the book of genesis starting from abraham... seems like i already forgot many things... ) one lost tribe? which is that?

and... josef already had an egypt wife - isn't that mixing as well? (sorry for my english - fails big time right now >.<)

The "Book of Genisis" really depends on many things:1) If you are reading the New Testament, it is different in interpretation than the Old Testament.2) The Old Testament is an abridgement of 36 books called the Zohar.

When I was living in Israel, we had the mandatory studies of the Old and New testaments, with their interpretations [as the words are not literal, but metaphoric and allegorical]. If you really want to learn what it all of it means, the subtly of information and the like, I’d suggest you seek out someone of the culture- like a Rabbi. In order to explain it to you, you need someone who can teach you the small details from the beginning to end.

Well, I meant the Old Testament, the first book of the bible... since I'm christian

yeah, you're probably right. I've already heard of many small details in the scriptures that simply have a certain meaning for jews - and therefore giving some things a special meaning that I'd have never imagined there'd be... .... suppose i forgot them already though >.<

Awesome piece of art and I'm sorry to hear that people were ragging on one character in a movie, and saying something predigious against one religion then rolling it towards another...But you were the bigger person in not going any further then that to the point of trying to punch them out and you have a great friend there was that was willing to pull you back from doing something you might've later regretted...I'm glad your proud of your religion. Most people don't have that strength because they fear what people will think of them

You are very welcome, may you always stand up for your religious freedom and what you stand for in your religion, those who bother to try and run it down, may they find it in their own hearts to forgive their foolish thoughts and words.

I really like the picture, nice indeed. As for the guy, i know what you mean. Really. I have Gypsy, Black, Native American and Jewish ancestry, so I've dealt with a lot, and you'd be surprised how racist even the closest people can be. In the end, however, it really doesn't matter the shape of your nose or the color of your skin, but its whats inside that matters. Don't let anyone put you down, you don't deserve it. Keep up the good work!

Your piece touched me in a way that I am not sure I will be able to explain, but I'll try. I stared at the full view for a long, long time - it almost brought tears to my eyes.

People are just people, no matter what their color, religion, opinions... It is so ignorant to make assumptions about who they are based on them being left or right handed, brunettes or blondes, crossed eyed or blue eyed, norwegian or brasilian, muslim or jewish... it is simply stupid to stereotype - and discrimination against the one that is different than me in any shape or form is too close to bigotry for my comfort. Unfortunately GOOD education is not widespread.

Sweetheart... I am a jewish latina argentinian woman and I swear I've been through enough bullshit for it (ever heard of Iran's terrorist bombing in Buenos Aires' Jewish Community Center?). BUT... my parents educated me in the love of life, in the pursuit of justice, in the thirst for learning, in living a life on an ethical and moral path, and in loving my brothers and sisters - and we are ALL brothers and sisters. I wish more children grew up with the loving family I was lucky to be born into... those who learn peace and tolerance, teach peace and tolerance.

I have said enough. This piece is truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing it.

I thank YOU for sharing wiht me your feelings and thoughts! I- like you- come fomr a very culturaly mixed heritage, and adapting many more in my life... and I cannot SEE a difference between people, even if I wanted to! When I hear of mixed merriges, I can only applaud. And yes, I DO wish that more people were reared in an environment like your own... we would have less problems for SURE- if only that was a start!
I really appreciate your thougs and encouragement. Truely, you are a person of much value to many!

You know? thanks to you, this pic, and your comment I want to draw something about our religion. Thank you.
Oh and again, this pic is wonderfull!!! I love it!! I cant express my feelings.... this is awesome!!!!!!

I absolutely adore this. I'm jewish as well, and there is actually this one particular student who doesnt adress me by my name but as "Jew". *rolls eyes*
Now, I'm not religious, I consider my jewish background more as a race than my own religion. But this is wonderful. Lions are my favorite so the entire concept of the piece really really appeals to me. I'm so terribly sorry you had to go through that expierence at your school. What a shame really. Such ignorance still exsists today. =/
This is a definite fav, hands down.

Dude, I am so sorry about that asshole that calls you that all the time! Isn't there anyway of noting a superior about that kind of conduct? Racial issues in highschool/college are a seirous matter. You really should go an complain, that person has no right to treat you that way!

I agree as well. I look at my Judaism as a cultural heritage and some aspect of my religeon, but I am not centered aorund it more than any other perosn is to thier religeon.

Naw, I can't do a damn thing about it because I'm on the wrong end of the stick when it comes to the superiors. Earlier in the year I was threatened with expulsion. I used to have purple hair and I threw a shit fit when they told me I had to change it. Now I get busted for ridiculous things all the time, just revenge to try and get back at me for talking down to them.
I'm graduating in three weeks, it'll all end soon.

Actually, I am not suggesting anything of the sort.... it's sort of using a symbol to convey the meaning. The religious figure- the rabbi- is portrayed like a wise old lion: Wisdome, pirde, survival, kindness and a noble figure.
The book is the Torah? Perhaps. Or it could be one of many that one can read to educate themselves with. That is the buety of many wise creatures- they don't limit themselves to one thing alone.

I don't know if anyone said this already.. but... the person said, "That doesn’t matter. Lots of Christians had Jewish ancestors." The moment I read that, I laughed, ALL CHRISTIANS HAD JEWISH ANCESTORS!! Well, unless they were converted from a non-jewish religion. But I mean, Jesus was a jew. Sooooo... I'm jewish too, btw, I feel ya.

Wow! Your lion looks so wisdom, but still powerful as the lion he is. Pretty pic
It's important be proud of who we are, don't worry about that kind of stereotyping, I'm catollic and I'm very proud of it!

*sighs* taht's aweful!! *points to your comments* Sad to say this reminds me of someone's Deviation here with an awful digusting title implying Jews are bad 7 I had this whole long drawn out thing where no one could believbe that i thought it was anti-semetic!! The artist was even lame enough to say I'm half Jewish 7 i said that was no excuse to do such awful racist pix...*sighs* I'd better not get started...but you know how I feel!

Yah, I recently found out that Deviart allows natzi porpeganda on it's site becuase as long as the artist doesn't actually voice a pro-anti-semtic voice, than can post images of whatever they want.
And then they wonder why people have such a bad distaste for america? I know that's harsh, but I can't blame them.

That sound you just hear was the sound of my jaw dropping! That's awful!! It kinda makes me want to leave DA... *sighs* Taht's the downside of the 1st amendment...you can say whatever you like as long as the context in which you say it no one gets hurt. It's like the difference between saying "fire" when having a convo with your friends & yelling it in a crowded theater! Sad but true..so as long as those hateful peopel don't say anything that'll incite a riot, they can get away with it. & what makes it even more sadder is that there are young people who have no idea what they're doing or saying when they buy into that crap & start spewing it because they think it's cool...*sighs*